1. HANDS UP
2. MOONDANCE
3. THINK HOLE



B.A.P is back in time for the holidays with their 8th single album 'EGO.' It sports some distinctly un-holiday-like tunes, which is just fine by me. To my ears, a release by B.A.P is a reason to celebrate. This particular disc has 3 tunes, including the title track "Hands Up."

"Hands Up" is a powerful anthem, just the way I like it: bold, in-your-face, and high-energy. B.A.P has always been good at those, and this tune is no exception. Loud and fun. "Moondance" is a slower, R&B-inspired tune, very modern, and that stomping beat and the tortured synth line in the chorus make this particularly awesome. It even has a bridge that incorporates rap, which just makes this song even better. 

"Think Hole" is a bit of an odd duck, the vocals are frantic until it hits a minute in or so. I like the persistent synth line, and the vocals in the chorus are simply par excellence. I also like how the synths take center stage in parts.



Did I enjoy this one? The answer is yes. "Moondance" is the weakest track on there, but it has its moments, and "Hands Up" is the sort of song you can't just listen to once.  Do I want more? Yes. Am I happy with this one? The answer is also yes.

MV REVIEW

This is a performance video through and through. And the boys go through their moves with confidence. While it's not the most mesmerizing choreo I've seen, it makes up for it with the different angles, each of them somewhat edgy with a hint of danger to them. I like the night shots in front of the bus. It's all shot in what looks like an abandoned industrial area.

It is what it is, and it's not terrible. I think the costumes do it, with leather and denim and other things you'd find on the person in the street. But they rock this wardrobe well and give a hint of badassery while they do it.



The song is probably the biggest driver of the MV, with the video just giving you something to watch while you rock out. It's not the worst thing I've seen, and whether the song carries it along, this MV won't leave you bored, I can say that.   

Only one question remains: Why was the MV rated 15? Is B.A.P too scary for general audiences?

Score

MV Relevance.......8
MV Production......9
MV Concept..........9

Songwriting..........9
Composition.........9
Impression............9